Cairns Trip Wrap-up

So finally, to wrap up my Cairns experience and an opportunity to sum up the information and knowledge gained from my trip. I hope my blogs have inspired you to visit Cairns and found it useful for your own planning.

Night swimming in the Cairns foreshore... open until 10pm

 Things you need to know

• December is wet season in Cairns - it's in the tropics after all!
• There is a reason why the locals do not swim in their beaches in summer - crocs and stringers abound. It is the same reason why the locals can be found in the nearest water holes. 
• Vinegar helps with blue bottle jelly fishes!
• Cairns is quite flat and easy to drive. Rent a car - easiest way to get around Cairns and the surrounds.
• Mission Beach is located almost two hours away from Cairns - only attempt to drive there if you are staying there. Day trips from Cairns is not worth it.  
• Gillies Highway really is a winding road - trust the Information staff when they tell you this!

Swimmers Beware!

Must Do

• Take every opportunity to swim in the waterfalls particularly Babinda Boulders and Millaa Milla Falls. Catfish breeding season be damned! 
• Cool down in the pool in the Cairns foreshore - then head for the night markets.
• Take a Guided Tour of Paronella Park. The drive is worth it.
• Opt for the Outer Reef - scuba dive if your funds allow you.

Explore the Biggest Living Organism, seen from space!

 Highlights

The highlight of our Cairns trip for me:

• Snorkelling in the outer reef of the Great Barrier Reef
• Swimming in a rock pool in the Daintree National Park
• Guided Tour of Paronella Park 
• Driving along the Bruce Highway 
• Eating fresh fruit along the way
• Visiting the waterfalls 
• Guided Tour - Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation
• Staying at the Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club
• Walking along the foreshore of Cairns and wading in the pool

Explore Paronella Park... and learn about it's history.

Please feel free to leave a comments - or ask any questions.

Until next time....

Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation

Our day at the Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation was spent with Tropical Horizon Tours. We opted to join a tour group instead of a self-drive. I heard from other travellers and colleagues before leaving Sydney that we may not be able to reach Cape Tribulation in a regular car. We didn't have a 4WD. View map here - Cairns to Cape Tribulation.

So, at 7.45am we waited at the lobby. We chatted to a man also joining a tour - the Food Safari tour. We overheard that there were only three people on the tour which would make it nice and personal. I had hoped ours would be too.

Mick, our driver, was slightly delayed due to no-shows in Cairns.We were picked up at 8am and after a quick introductions, we boarded the bus where we met our fellow travellers. There was one family from the US (Washington DC), couples from London (near Surrey),  Germany, and another couple from Sydney (Graystanes).

Mick was a story-teller as well as a horticulturist and tour guide.

Port Douglas

Our first stop was Port Douglas. Port Douglas is located just over an hours drive from Cairns. Here we learnt a little bit more about Port Douglas.

As we entered Port Douglas and drove down towards the Four Mile Beach, Mick tells that that Port Douglas was founded in the late 1800's following the discovery of gold in the area. However as nearby towns started to develop, the Port Douglas population dwindled. It wasn't until the 1980's when a man names Christopher Skace financed the construction of the Sheraton Mirage that Port Douglas started to develop as the tourist attraction it is today. Mick tells that that the palm trees that line-up the main street of Port Douglas was imported by Skace to give the feel of tropical paradise.

We drove into the main street of Port Douglas, towards St Mary's Church, and down by the Marina where we were the previous day.

Mossman Gorge

Our next stop was Mossman Gorge. Here we learn about the Indigenous inhabitants who roamed freely, the start of the settlements and the impact on the original inhabitants and the missionaries that intervened. The Australian history was unfolding in this journey. At the Gorge, we were given the opportunity to swim. Due to the rains, the water was a little muddy.

We then travelled through the sugar cane farm lands. We learn that sugar cane is one of the main exports of Queensland (perhaps even Australia). Expensive crops sprawled out as far as the eyes could see. We travelled past a number of small country towns.


Daintree National Park

As we entered further into the Daintree National Park, we are warned that at some stage we will loose reception. This may have been a dig at my sister whose phone was continually beeping.

We headed towards the Daintree River where we had our morning tea ready and waiting for us. Lamingtons and tea. After a quick toilet break we boarded the Daintree River Cruise. We travelled down the river where were were introduced to the local flora and fauna, to the crocodile territories, and the wild boars that are stuck in the banks as the river moves.

The Daintree Rainforest

Daintree River Crossing

I am a fan of the show River Monsters hosted by Jeremy Wade. I watched an episode where Jeremy followed the movement of salt water crocodiles into fresh waters. I was looking forward to seeing the crocodiles. Images ran in my head of crocodiles sunbathing on the banks of the river. Unfortunately, it is mating season and crocodile sighting is rare. We did see a one year old crocodile.

One and only crocodile sighting...

There was an abandoned train in the middle of the river. Here, we are told that the owner of the train had his son snatched by a crocodile near the river banks. The train has been abandoned since.

Abandoned Daintree River Train...

After the cruise was lunch. Mick had ordered ahead so our lunch would be waiting for us when we arrived. I had the fish of the day - lovely Burumundi. Lunch was an opportunity to get to know our fellow travellers, to share some stories and gather information.

After lunch, we had the opportunity to swim in the rock pool at the bottom of the restaurant. I swam in one of the oldest rain forest in the world!

Rock pool deep in Daintree territory.

The Daintree Rain Forest is the oldest Rain Forest in the world. Thirteen out of the ninteen ancient plants are located in the rain forest.

Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation was so named by Lieutenant James Cook as a result of the Endeavour hitting a reef and almost sinking. Cape Tribulation is the point where two world heritage listed areas meet - The Daintree National Park and the Great Barrier Reef.

Cape Tribulation - where two heritage area meet

Lianas

It is wet season in the far North Queensland. We've been warned that if the stingers don't get us, the crocs sure will.

Emergency First Aid - in case of stringers

Crocodiles about ... Achtung! No swimming.

Cape Tribulation - where the Daintree meets the Barrier Reef

We are told an interesting story about the origin of Kangaroo. When Lieutenant James Cook first met with the local Indigenous tribe, they saw an interesting animal they had not seen before. When asked what the name of the animal was, the word Kangaroo kept being mentioned. This word was recorded as being the name of that animal. However the local translation of Kangaroo is  "I don't know."

We then headed off to the Daintree Rain Forest Learning Centre.



Finally.... Cairns Trip Wrap Up.

The Great Barrier Reef

A visit to Cairns is not complete without a visit to The Great Barrier Reef. After all, who can resist the lure of visiting one of the seven natural wonders of the world. And meeting Nemo.

For our experience, Annie and I headed north to Port Douglas where we boarded the Quicksilver V.  Our destination was the Quicksilver pontoon on the Agincourt Outer Reef.

We had decided on the Quicksilver experience rather than the Green Island experience. The  booking agent described Green Island as the tourist experience for those wanting to sip their cocktail drinks listening to translated description of the Barrier Reef. Quicksilver, on the otherhand, "is the Barrier Reef". It had a good reputation for experiencing the The Reef. Whereas Green Island was 45 minutes away from Cairns, the Quicksilver experience was on a pontoon located on the outer reef 90 minutes away from Port Douglas.

Port Douglas

Port Douglas is located just over an hour drive from Cairns. We arrived early and checked in at the Quicksilver headquater where we received our boarding pass. This was an opportunity to see the marina and also to do some shopping.

Port Douglas Marina

Yachts on the marina

Photo by Annie - Departure Times

Photo by Annie - Boarding the Quicksilver

Photo by Annie - Inside the Quicksilver before it was full :)

Agincourt Reef Ribbon

The night before, I googled "Agincourt Reef" and found this description from DiveGBR.

"Agincourt Reef is at the very outer edge of the Barrier Reef. Here, special reefs known as ‘ribbons’ run parallel to the Continental Shelf. Adjacent to the Coral Sea trench, these ribbon reefs are recognised as the most pristine eco-systems in the reef’s environment. Clear water provides the best possible underwater visibility, encourages rich coral growth and supports spectacular marine life."

 It was hard not to get excited when the idea of visiting The Great Barrier Reef, on the most prestine eco-system, running parallel Australia's Continental Shelf.

Aboard the Quicksilver V, we were briefed on what to expect on the Pontoon. We received an introductory presentation on the reef, the marine life, the do's and don't from a Marine Biologist. There was a presentation on the activities available, how to choose snorkeling gear, an opportunity to hire wet suits and an underwater camera. 

When we finally reached the pontoon, Annie and I headed straight to the snorkelling equipment. Armed with our wet suit and snorkel mask, flippers and underwater camera we headed straight for the water.

Quicksilver Pontoon - Agincourt Outer Reef

Jelly fish that kept following me!

Feeding Time

Photographer

Reef

Underneath the surface...

Although Annie and I did not get to experience all that the pontoon had to offer, we experienced what we came for. Our experience of the Great Barrier Reef is one that we'll be telling anyone who'll listen for a long time to come. Next time I am definitely scuba diving!

For more information, please visit the following sites"

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
• Quicksilver Cruises

Next is the Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation.

Southern Atherton Tablelands Part 2 - Falls, Lakes and Paronella Park

We headed south intent on finally completing the Atherton Tableland loop - view the Map here. Cairns once again graced us with beautiful driving weather, even as we started to drive further away. We headed down past Inisfail towards Mena Creek, where the popular Paronella Park is situated.

Paronella Park

Paronella Park is located in Mena Creek, one and a half hour drive from Cairns. It's history is quite interesting and I think very romantic. I am a fan of Grand Designs, the British television show on making dream homes come to life and hosted by Kevin McLeod. I sometimes wonder if I will ever come across an individual with a vision of his home and determination to make it happen.

As we take the tour of the park, with humidity so stiffling the guide had to provide us with a fan, the story of Paronella Park unfolds. We are told that in the early 1900's, a Spanish man arrives in Australia looking to make a fortune and build his castle for his fiancee back in Spain. Having grown up with tales from his mother of castles, gardens and fountains, Mr Paronella wanted to build this vision and life in Australia. He worked long and hard to earn his fortune by learning about sugar canes, farming, buying, improving and selling farms.

With this fortune, Mr Paronella came across the Mena Creek and purchased the land so perfect for his vision. Mr Paronella returns to Spain to finally wed his fiancee. But, much to his disappointment and heart break I'm sure, he finds his fiancee married! Too much time had past (11 years). So instead he marries her sister and returns to Australia with his new wife.

Here was a man with no engineering or building background able to create a legacy well ahead of his time.

Castle in front of the fountains

Grand Staircase...

Mena Creek Falls

The Castle Ruins...

Waterfall Circuit

From here, we headed north towards Millaa Millaa following the Waterfall Circuit. The Waterfall Circuit is made up of three waterfalls...

Zillie Falls

Ellinjaa Falls

Ellinjaa Falls is part of the Waterfall Circuit in Millaa Millaa.The Ellinjaa Falls was one of my favourite waterfalls we visited. Hidden amongst the rainforest, it is gem to find it. There was no-one in sight when we arrived and it was good to relax and enjoy the sound of water and birds.

Zillie Falls

Zillie Falls is part of the Waterfall Circuit in Millaa Millaa.

Millaa Millaa Falls

Millaa Milla Falls is part of the Waterfall Circuit in Millaa Millaa. Millaa Millaa falls is surrounded by lush greenery. It is popular amongst the tourists and locals alike. When we arrived, there were a number of people swimming and sunbathing. Bus loads of tourists were just arriving for a quick dip, and I'm sure, photo opportunities.

It was breeding season for catfish and swimmers are warned to beware "Catfish breeding season. Catfish may cause injury". We overheard some locals and tour guides mention towards the left-side of the falls is the catfish breeding area.

Malanda

Malanda is located one hour and a half hour drive from Cairns. We decided to visit Nerada Tea plantation. Unfortunately there were no tours on that day and were closing for the day. We only had time to buy a few assortments of tea.

Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine

The Crater Lakes are located one hour drive from Cairns via the Gillies Highway. We had hoped to have afternoon tea at the Lake Barrine Teahouse but did not arrive on time.


Cathedral Fig Tree

The Cathedral Fig Tree is an impressive, gigantic strangler tree.We were able to walk around the base of the tree via boarded walkways.

Gillies Highway

Wow. The Gillies Highway was an experience. This very long and winding road was interesting to drive. We had been warned about it by the helpful staff at the Babinda Tourism Centre.

To quote Wikipaedia regarding the Gillies Highway - "famous for its 263 corners, and 800m elevation change in only 19 km of road", I could not wait to get to the end. Next time, I would avoid the Gillies Highway.

Next is The Great Barrier Reef.

Southern Atherton Tablelands - Waterfalls to Mission Beach

My sister Annie is such a good sport. It can't be easy being a passenger to a driver who wants to "(Let's) go and see that". When we spoke to the helpful staff at the information centre, more a travel agent really, he suggested that with a car we can easily drive to see waterfalls, the crater lakes and Paronella Park... all in the setting of the wet tropics. And so that is how our day begins.

We head down south of Cairns towards the southern section of the Atherton Tablelands - to see waterfalls and lakes. We head down Captain Cook Highway towards Cairns where we buy fruits  (I feel like I am in heaven!) on the side of the road and took the opportunity to fill up with petrol.

The weather forecast for Cairns was sunny with a chance of rain, but as we head further outside Cairns, the clouds starts to gather into threatening balls, heavy with rain. We watch the clouds surround the mountains, like a shawl wrapped around a shoulder preparing for the rain. It is rainy reason in the wet tropics and we may just find out what that means. 

We drive down the Bruce Highway, following the signs to Townsville. On either side of the Bruce Highway are the farm lands. It wasn't until much later that we find out that what we were looking at were sugar canes. Acres and acres of it as far as the eyes can see, reaching, towards the mountains.

Driving down the Bruce Highway, you start to appreciate why Queensland is where many of the fruits we love are grown. All those lovely bananas. I am reminded of the cyclone that hit Queensland in February 2011. It was still in people's minds. The devastation caused by Cyclone Yasi made news nation wide. Banana prices rocketed. It was good to see that the farmers of Queensland are recovering.

There were roadworks on the road. What impressed me about this was how we were slowly brought down to 60km zone, first 80km from 100km. I have driven long distances along the NSW, Victoria and even South Australia and I don't remember those drives being interrupted by road work this smoothly.


Babinda Boulders

Babinda is located one hour away from Cairns. It is a small town with a hidden gem - though not quite so secret - The Boulders. The Boulders are located a short drive from the main street, past the farm lands, towards the rainforest. 

The humidity invites the locals to their water hole. When we arrived there were a small number of people enjoying the sun, shade and water. A couple were reading under a tree enjoying the sound of running water. There were families swimming in the most inviting rainforest's water.

The Boulders at Babinda

Babinda Boulders

Water so clear... you can swim!

Josephine Falls

Our next stop was Josephine falls, located eight kilometres away from the Bruce Highway. Walking up the path you hear the sound of birds and somewhere far away is running water. When we finally reached the clearing there were people sunbathing, swimming, exploring the rocks and sliding down the rocks.

Josephine Falls

Inisfail and Mission Beach 

The one thing I failed to mention was our lack of appropriate swim wear. So when we got to Inisfail, we had lunch and went shopping. When we were once again on our way, we bought bags of lychees in one of those road side vendors just outside Inisfail. Lychees were in season and it was cheap.

Now to go back as to why my sister is such a good sport. You see, my plan for today was to visit Mission Beach, located two hours away from Cairns. The drive to Mission Beach, though scenic and lovely, was a long one. Long if you are only spending one hour or two there before driving back.


Coming up Southern Atherton Tablelands - Falls, Lakes and Paronella Park.